[UPDATE 9:13 a.m.] ‘Multiple Crashes’, Southbound Traffic Backed Up on 101 Coming Into Eureka
Image from EPD of emergency vehicles and traffic backed up.
This morning, multiple traffic collisions occurred on the southbound lane of the Slough Bridge in Eureka, according to the Eureka Police Department.
Several readers described seeing a motorcycle involved in one of the crashes. One told us, “[T]raffic was backed up past Harper ford at about 8:15.”
As of 8:50 a.m., traffic is still moving slowly in the area.
EPD, Humboldt Bay Fire, and City Ambulance responded to the scene. Traffic was reduced to one lane while emergency crews assisted, causing delays for drivers in the area.
Officials are asking motorists to avoid the Slough Bridge if possible and to expect slowdowns until the roadway is fully cleared.
Please remember that information gathered from initial reports is subject to revision as more facts become available.
UPDATE 9:13 a.m.: According the CHP CAD page, another crash occurred. This time near Jacob’s Avenue on the northbound side. No one is injured, the CHP site said. Traffic is moving smoothly on the northbound site. The traffic on the southbound side is still slowed.
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Lots of idiot drivers out there. Lights off, phones on, texting, rude driving.
Irate people that get incensed by bulb-outs and bike lanes and distract themselves with taking a mental inventory while driving so that they can comment about it later.
One should be paying close attention to everything going on around them while driving. Hyper awareness leads to less accidents than oblivious and clueless. I can guess your category.
It’s rare to see anyone use their turn signal any more. Like its too difficult for them to practice the simplest amount of curtesy.
Turn signals are about safety.
Northbound rubberneckers.
Who cares / tailgaters n speeders demand their cars get ruined – it’s their goal everyday to see how quickly they can total their own vehicle 🙂
The innocent driver that gets his car totalled by the speeder and tailgaters. Not to mention the possible injuries, loss of work, and fustration these collisions cause.
Everyone is rushing towards their deaths. Can’t get there fast enough. Pedal to the metal…..
Personally, I like to think their hurry is because they are late for a root canal appointment 😂
Just pull em.
IMHO:
Southbound Eureka Slough bridge is a real accident problem.
Several people have posted suggestions to CalTrans about dealing with it.
But… so far… response from CalTrans is ‘Crickets Chirping’.
Go figure.
There is a CT project going through environmental review now. Eureka Slough Bridges project, check it out. You may even have ample time to submit your comments. As an aside, does CT generally reach out to you directly since you’ve heard crickets this far?
Eh ? No, I’m well aware of that er… ‘plan’.
For those that are unaware. That project is to replace both bridges… due to er… well, maybe a huge earthquake or ‘something’.
Might be 3 to 5 years before the ‘design’ is approved.
Maybe 3 years to complete. (IMHO: Will likely be an ongoing disaster during the construction process).
Meanwhile:
We will probably have a couple dozen or more accidents before that ‘project’ gets rolling.
Some suggestions: (Notice: This is the CalTrans ‘Crickets Chirping’.)
Reduce the speed limit to 40 mph about 300 yards before the bridge.
(Cheap… maybe $10K for the signs).
Add some “Slow Down Dammit’ signs (maybe another $10K).
Big illuminated traffic sign. Flashes ‘Slow Down Stopped Traffic Ahead’.
Only activates during ‘rush’ hours. (Cheap… maybe $25K for the sign.)
Put some photocells on/after the bridge to detect stopped traffic.
Stopped traffic triggers a flashing warning ‘Stopped Traffic’ or ‘Reduced Speed Limit’ on the north end of the er… ‘freeway’.
(Semi-cheap, maybe $100K.)
Secret Hint (1): Station a CHP car there during ‘rush hour’.
(Essentially… FREE).
Secret Hint (2) to CalTrans. Have an on going accident problem in an area ?
Hey, why not address it and call a public hearing, either propose changes, solicit suggestions, answer questions. Hmm… that might reduce the ‘crickets chirping’ responses.
Go figure.
Interesting stuff… people want the collisions ?
Are they Newsomites ? Well… they might be !!
Go figure.
No problem with the bridge. Bridge is perfect. People are the problem. Maybe people should live where they work?
Yeah… Work in Eureka, take a job in Arcata… then you need to move ?
Oh boy !
I think I remember hearing a stop light will be going in at Jacobs Ave when Indianola overpass is complete.
That would help, but why wait?
If that’s the case… then you introduce rear end collisions at that intersection.
Oh well…
At that time of the morning commuter traffic into town can back up all the way from the V Street light to the top of the bridge over the slough. Southbound drivers can’t see it coming and chain reaction, rear-end crashes are the result. I was caught in one years ago. The solution is to close 4th only briefly during commuter traffic hours.
You be kidding ? Yes ?
Sight stopping distance. Learn what it means, practice it. There is no such thing as a traffic “accident”, just one or more drivers that were not prepared for the conditions they encountered.